“I told him (Tuesday) I was going to UCLA, and he called me (Wednesday) at 5 o’clock in the morning to say he was coming to UCLA,” Hasiak said. “I hope I helped with him. I think it’s really good.”

So began a wildly successful day for UCLA, which pushed aside a 4-8 season to finish a stellar recruiting class by signing four highly rated and previously uncommitted players during Wednesday’s national football signing day.

By the end of the day, UCLA’s 24-member class, which fills needs on the offensive line, injects speed into the offense and adds depth throughout the program, soared to a tie for No.4 in the Scout.com national rankings. Rivals.com had the Bruins at No. 14.

“It’s where UCLA belongs, truthfully,” UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said of the top-10 ranking. “I’m proud of the effort, and as I’ve told you, I’m thrilled with the way the coaches worked at it. But it’s what UCLA deserves.”

Hasiak began the whirlwind day by ending a tumultuous recruitment. He committed to UCLA in the fall, but changed to California last month before shifting back to UCLA.

Former Tennessee commit Damien Thigpen, a running back from Stonewall Jackson High in Manassas, Va., who is the two-time defending state champ in the 300-meter hurdles, then chose the Bruins over Notre Dame and Mississippi State.

“He’s 5-foot-7 with shoes on, but he’s like a pit bull,” Stonewall Jackson coach Mike Dougherty said of Thigpen. “I see him being like a (former Florida star) Percy Harvin-type. He can run reverses, slip screens and when he needs to, he can run right past you.

“Damien is lights-out speed. He’s the two-time state defending champ in the 300 meter hurdles. It’s over before he gets to the first hurdle.”

Su’a-Filo, an offensive lineman out of Timpview High, added to the excitement when he chose UCLA over Utah, USC and LSU.

Cathedral High receiver Randall Carroll capped the day by announcing he was changing from USC to UCLA. His commitment, along with Thigpen’s decision, gives the Bruins needed speed on offense. Carroll is the state’s 100- and 200-meter champion.

Carroll was the second member of UCLA’s class to decommit from USC. He joined tight end Morrell Presley, who enrolled at UCLA in January.

“He’s the fastest kid in Southern California,” Neuheisel said of Carroll. “For a team that’s missing explosions on offense of plus-20 plays, that’s something big.”

Su’a-Filo and Hasiak will both compete for starting spots on the offensive line, but Su’a-Filo might not be at UCLA long. He said he will take a two-year church mission in February 2010, but that could change.

“My plan is to play my whole freshman year, and leave on my mission in February of next year,” Su’a-Filo said on ESPNU after the announcement. “(Neuheisel) was fully supportive of me. He has Norm Chow as an offensive coordinator, who is also a member of my faith, and they completely understand it.”

UCLA also filled out its depth by signing six offensive linemen (including two junior college players), two linebackers and six defensive backs, including Punahou of Honolulu’s Dalton Hilliard, who originally committed as a running back.

Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga quarterback Richard Brehaut signed grant-in-aid papers, which allows him to enter school in April. He will compete with Kevin Craft and Kevin Prince for the starting spot.

The Bruins also picked up a commitment from Norco linebacker Jared Koster after Punahou linebacker Manti Te’o selected Notre Dame over UCLA and USC.

Compton College defensive tackle Branden Warner said he will sign a letter of intent shortly, but needs to clear a hold on his transcript so it can be sent to UCLA.

But UCLA also lost at least one player when Billy Sanders, a tight end/defensive end from Lake City High in Coeurd’Alene, Idaho, chose Miami after committing to UCLA last month. He had originally committed to Miami.

Receiver Roby Toma, who is a close friend of Te’o, was wavering on his commitment to UCLA and was deciding between Notre Dame and the Bruins.

Still, the day’s big triumphs left Neuheisel smiling.

“I’m elated things have worked out the way they have,” Neuheisel said. “I believe the UCLA football program had a great day. It’s a very, very exciting day for us.”

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